Printing press



E. E. PHlNNEY PRINTING PRESS May 2, 1933.

Filed Nov. 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet l o g INVENTOR E y 61 E -2 zqqey 4%{43ATTORNEY E. E. PHINNEY PRINTING PRESS May 2, 1933.

Filed Nov. 1, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 E. E. PHINNEY PRINTING PRESS May 2,1933.

4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 1, 1932 INVENTOR 5& a rag: hinfieyfi/EZQATTORNEY E E, PHINNEY PRINTING PRESS May 2, 1933.

Filed Nov. 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 7 Mil INVENTOR Eda g; E. PhirmeyJWWZgQ- ATTORNEY Patented May 2, 1933 PATENT OFFICE PRINTING PRESSApplication filed November The invention relates to power operatedprinting presses, such as check printing machines, and more particularlyto automatic means for controlling the operation thereof and it consistsin the novel construction and combination of parts as set forth in theappended claims. In the present disclosure, the invention is shown asapplied to a Defiance check writer, the essential features of which aredescribed in U. S. patent to Edgar E. Phinney, No. 1,843,732, filedFebruary 2, 1932, and entitled Check printing machine.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention Fig. 1 is a planview of a check printing machine embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a detail side elevation of the clutch controlling means, withparts broken into section.

Fig. 4 is an elevation of the clutch controlling means taken at rightangles to Fig. 3, and having parts broken into section.

Figs. 5 and 6 are views corresponding to Figs. 3 and 4, respectively,and illustrating a modified form of clutch controlling means.

In means of this character, amounts to be printed are set up by rotationof one or more type drums, by means of related hand wheels 1 (Figs. 1and 2), whereupon a blank check is fed to position beneath areciprocatory platen 2, after which motor driven means are operated tobring the platen down upon the check, the parts are returned to normalposition and the check is removed from the machine.

According to the present invention, the check is fed to printingposition and is discharged by means of a friction feed belt 3, runningover a roller 4, constantly driven from the electric motor 5 by means ofthe driving connections 6. The endless belt 3 is extended over idlerrollers 7, as seen in Fig. 2. The check is held in contact with belt 3by means of rollers 8, acting through gravity or through spring means.The checks are fed endwise to position beneath the platen, the edges ofthe check being inserted within slotted guides 9, by hand or by othersuitable means. Checks fed into the machine will be 1, 1932. Serial No.640,642.

stopped in correct printing tact thereof with the lever 4), fulcrumedupon rod 11, forming part of a frame 12 pivoted to the stationary frameof the machine at 13. Rod 11 is adjustably secured in frame 12, so thatlever 10 may be advanced or retracted along the path of movement of thecheck, to provide for any necessary variations in the printing positionin which the check is to be held by said lever. Buckling of the check,when contact is made with lever 10, is prevented by a guide finger l4,overlying the check, adjacent to lever 10. This guide finger has a pinand slot connection with the frame of the machine, so that it may beadjusted in accordance with the ad ustment of lever 10.

In addition to stopping the paper in printing position, lever 10 has thefunction of automatically engaging a clutch l5, 16 (Fig. 4), between theplaten operating cam 17 and the motor 5, for which purpose the power'armof lever 10 is contacted by the paper or check, and the work arm of saidlever is adapted to operate a yieldable control element.

In the preferred form of the invention this control element comprises acircuit breaker 18, having electrical connection 19 (Fig. 1) with asolenoid 20, so that when the paper is fed against lever 10 the circuitwill be closed and solenoid 20 energized.

The core of solenoid 20 (Fig. 3) has a pin extension 21 lying inposition to hold the spring clutch pawl 16 out of contact with theratchet member 15 of the clutch, as seen in Fig. 4. When solenoid 20 isenergized, pin 21 is withdrawn, and pawl 16 will fall into engagementwith the ratchet 15, engaging the clutch.

After the operation of the platen 2, lever 10 is moved out of engagementwith the check, whereupon the released check will be automatically fedout ofthe machine, and, solenoid 20 being de-energized, pin'21 will moveback into the path of movement of pawl 16, the rotation of which willcarry it into engagement with said pin, whereby it will be pulled out ofclutching engagement with ratchet 15.

position by con- 10 (Figs. 8 and ment 0 clutch pawl 1 This removal oflever 10 is accomplished as follows:

In the descent of platen 2, a spring pawl 22 (Fig. 3) clicks idly overthe end of an extension 23 of pivoted frame 12, and upon the upwardmovement of the platen by cam 17, pawl 22 will lift extension 23, andframe 12 will be rocked upon its pivot 13 to raise lever 10 out of thepath of movement of the check, this movement also releasing pressureupon the spring arm of the circuit breaker 18, whereupon solenoid 20will become de-energized. At the end of its rising movement, pawl 22will release extension 23, and frame 12 will drop by gravity back to itsoriginal position, this movement being cushioned by means of acounter-weight 24.

Instead of the electrical control means above-described, the clutch maybe mechanically controlled by the means illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6,wherein a lever 10 is fulcrumed upon a bar 11 forming part of a frame12', pivoted at 13' to the stationary frame in the same manner as in theform of the invention previously described. In this case, however, theyieldable control element comprises a spring pressed arm 25, having aflange at one end adapted to be engaged by the work arm of the lever 10and having at its other end a pivoted finger 26. The upper end of finger26 is provided with a lug normally 1 ing just below the path of moveaprojection 27 of a cam follower arm 28 operated by a cam 29, fast uponthe constantly driven shaft 30. When lever 10' is moved by the check,arm 25 will be rocked, and finger 26 will be raised into the path ofmovement of projection 27, by which projection it will be carried duringthe movement of cam 29 into contact with a spring plate 31, having a lugnormally lying against the and serving to hold said pawl out ofengagement with the clutch tooth 15. Upon movement by finger 26, plate31 will release clutch pawl 16, and a printing operation of the machinewill take place. As lever 10 is swung into inactive position, by themeans described in connection with the first form of the invention,

pressure upon arm 25 will be released, and

the spring of said arm will act to draw finger 26 out of the path ofmovement of projection 27, whereupon plate 31 will remain in the path ofmovement of pawl 16, to release the clutch.

I claim:

1. In a printing press having power operating means; the combinationwith a paper feed device, of a displaceable lever normally lying in thepath of movement of the paper, means controlled by said lever uponmovement thereof by the paper toefiect a print ing operation of saidpower means, and means operable by said power means to displace thelever out of the path of movement of the paper.

2. In a printing press having power operating means; the combinationwith a continuously driven paper feed belt, of a displaceable leverlocated midway of the feeding reach of said belt, means controlled bysaid lever upon movement thereof by the paper to effect a printingoperation of said power means, and means operable by said power means todisplace the lever out of the path of movement of the paper.

3. In a printing press having power operating means; the combinationwith a paper feed device of a displaceable lever normally lying in thepath of movement of the paper, electrically connected devices includinga solenoid and a circuit breaker adapted to be closed by said lever uponmovement thereof by the paper, means adjustable by said solenoid toeffect a printing operation of said power means, and means operable bysaid power means to displace the lever out of the path of movement ofthe paper.

4. In a printing press having power operating means; the combinationwith a aper feed device, of means including a yie d .ble

control element adjustable to effect a printing operation of said powermeans, a pivoted frame, a lever fulcruzned upon said frame and normallyheld thereby with its power arm lying in the path of movement of thepaper and with its work arm adjacent said yieldable element, and meansoperable by said power means to rock the pivoted frame in a direction tocarry the lever out of the path of movement of the paper and away fromthe yieldable element.

Signed at Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey this31st day of October A. I). 1932.

EDGAR ELLSWORTH PHINNEY.

